The Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), U.S. government entity, has awarded contracts of $3.65 million value to a RMD research subsidiary of Dynasil. These contracts from the DNDO will promote the continued research and development activities of Dynasil, in producing the neutron and gamma radiation detectors that have the capacity to detect illegal nuclear substances.
The DNDO takes responsibility to implement the nuclear detection technologies integrated with the forensics programs for coordinated and managed nuclear material detection to avoid the radiological threats. The RMD Research had won the department of homeland security (DHS) small business award in 2011 for radiological detection technology, for its innovative commitment and achievement in the area of national security.
Steven Ruggieri, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dynasil, stated that the company is pleased to enter into a contract with the DNDO to develop the technology for identifying radiological and nuclear substance threatening the United States. Ruggieri said that Dynasil has commenced commercializing the increased-performance, two-mode scintillation crystals that are developed to detect gamma and neutron rays emitted from the weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium. Ruggieri added that these contracts from DNDO will help in expanding Dynasil’s efforts in commercializing its products and also assist in technology development.
The received contracts of $3.65 million include $1.5 million under the small business innovation research (SBIR) program and $2.15 million under the exploratory research program (ERP) of the DNDO. The ERP provides funds for investigating promising nuclear detection methods. The SBIR stimulates technological innovation of radioactive material detection program and enhance commercialization of the private sector obtained from R&D financing.
Source: http://www.dynasilcorp.com